All around rifle for 1rst trip to South Africa..

Well you won't be undergunned with a 7mm Rem Mag. It's my favorite gun caliber...not too light and not too strong, with good bullets, it's all the gun anyone needs.

Hi longbowofMT,

what about taking your longbow instead of a rifle? I would get myself a .375H&H if I were you. The .375H&H has proven itself in Africa.

The world is full of good plains game rifles. I think it is more important to use good preimum bullets. On my safari I never shot anything smaller than springbuck. I used 180 grain nosler partitions in a 300 RCM and they did'nt tear the springbuck up to much. I was wondering if the barnes tsx bullets would be better for steenbuck? Anyone use them on the little stuff?

Originally Posted by lwaters

The world is full of good plains game rifles. I think it is more important to use good preimum bullets. On my safari I never shot anything smaller than springbuck. I used 180 grain nosler partitions in a 300 RCM and they did'nt tear the springbuck up to much. I was wondering if the barnes tsx bullets would be better for steenbuck? Anyone use them on the little stuff?

I haven't yet but I let you know as soon as I get back in June as the 180gr TSX in a 300 Win Mag is what I plan on using on my next safari.

Originally Posted by lwaters

I was wondering if the barnes tsx bullets would be better for steenbuck? Anyone use them on the little stuff?

I can't answer your question on the tsx bullets, but I can tell you that I have used (and will only use) 286gr factory SOLIDS from my .375 on the small buck. They work like a charm, straight through with no damage at all, looks like they were stabbed with a spike. I am, obviously, always careful of what is behind the animal before I shoot.

Originally Posted by TOM

Whatever the PH has over there already. I send a lot of guys to Africa each year and i still recommend borrowing a rifle. Unless you have a "pet" rifle that you just have to shoot, loaning a rifle is so much easier to do. Most outfitters (all that I represent), have very nice rifles as it is their job. You will not be disappointed and it will greatly "free up" your travel.

Great advice, Tom.

That worked perfectly for me, and although I have a bunch of those "pet" rifles that I'd love to have with me, it just makes life much easier while on Safari to use what the PH has.

I'll choose that option every time.

for certain circumstances maybe, but that philosophy makes it a bit pointless having rifles for african/overseas hunting. if you have all your paperwork/visitors permits in place then there isnt usually any problems. part of the overall fun/enjoyment i think for myself and most people is using a rifle that is a favourite or a new one bought and learned about for the hunt. unless i couldnt due to powers that be/circumstances beyond my control i would always take and use my own rifles. to me it would be like i was missing something and it would reduce my over all enjoyment , it would be like arriving at an airport and renting a hire car..... it does the job but.................longbow as for the rifle just go and get a 30-06 or 7mm rem mag they will work perfectly , and i wish people would stop worrying so much about what cal rifle to take on their first plains game hunt, as has been said most likely what you use for your deer hunting in the usa, 30-06,.270, .308 etc etc will be fine on plains game, and you know how it shoots. so just go and enjoy yourself

Originally Posted by spike.t

for certain circumstances maybe, but that philosophy makes it a bit pointless having rifles for african/overseas hunting. if you have all your paperwork/visitors permits in place then there isnt usually any problems. part of the overall fun/enjoyment i think for myself and most people is using a rifle that is a favourite or a new one bought and learned about for the hunt. unless i couldnt due to powers that be/circumstances beyond my control i would always take and use my own rifles. to me it would be like i was missing something and it would reduce my over all enjoyment , it would be like arriving at an airport and renting a hire car..... it does the job but.................longbow as for the rifle just go and get a 30-06 or 7mm rem mag they will work perfectly , and i wish people would stop worrying so much about what cal rifle to take on their first plains game hunt, as has been said most likely what you use for your deer hunting in the usa, 30-06,.270, .308 etc etc will be fine on plains game, and you know how it shoots. so just go and enjoy yourself

+1 Spot on Spike!

Originally Posted by longbowofMT

Thanks for all the advice so far guys. I have an a 30-06 but I don't want to travel with it, it was my great grandfathers and has been passed down to my grandfather to my dad and uncle, then me. Its just to much of a treasure to take over seas. So i looking at a new rifle for over there. The rifle, "Old Girl" as she has been called is an old model 54 winchester and shoots true. Most accurate 06 I have ever shot and trust to use. Just looking for something else is all. I started looking at 7mm and trying to decied if it is what I want.

Okay, I get the reluctance to take the "Old Girl" overseas, but on the other hand - what an opportunity to add to the legends around the family heirloom! And you are obviously comfortable with her. Since bullet placement is paramount, a rifle that is like an extension of yourself is invaluable. Let me put it another way: If the "Old Girl" could talk, she would be screaming: "Take me, take me!"

Originally Posted by timbear

Okay, I get the reluctance to take the "Old Girl" overseas, but on the other hand - what an opportunity to add to the legends around the family heirloom! And you are obviously comfortable with her. Since bullet placement is paramount, a rifle that is like an extension of yourself is invaluable. Let me put it another way: If the "Old Girl" could talk, she would be screaming: "Take me, take me!"

Been following this thread a while, thought that it was turning into a "what's your favorite caliber thread". timbear you brought up a great point, I also think if that gun could talk, it would be screaming..... Just like 80% of the member on this site...... "Take me, Take me"..

Good luck on your hunt, and I would take "the Old Girl"... Or buy a new 35Whelen...

I have to go along with the 30-06. I took one of my Blaser R8's in 2011 with a match barrel in plain ol 30-06. I fell back in love with the round. 3 one shot kills---it was like a magic wand--point in its direction and it fell. I used 180 grain barnes x bullets.

Here is a bull wildebeest I tip over with it!

Originally Posted by Norwegianwoods

I went with a 30-06 last year. I shot Spring buck, Impala, Black Wildebeest, Kudu and Gems buck with it.
I was not totally satisfied with how the bullet performed(Federal Fusion). The cartridge is plenty good enough with a better bullet.
IBullet quality and bullet placement is much more important than the caliber.

If I was expecting some long shots, I would bring my 6.5-06 as I am the most confident with that in all situations and I would never feel undergunned. Even on Eland.
If all my shots would be inside 200 meters, I would either bring my 6.5-06 or my 375 Ruger.
Both with Barnes TTSX bullets.

That's about it - a good premium grade bullet , like a monolithic BarnesX,Nosler E tip, etc. together with good shot placement is more important than the caliber size- up to a certain point.
A 3006 , the most popular hunting caliber in SA , is good up to an Eland and a very heavy Kudu .

As lead core , unbonded bullet , on an Impala and Springbok , can cause excessive meat damage.

A 3006 loaded with a 220 gr premium bullet in the hand of an experienced hunter can drop a Buffalo with one shot .